Editing World Economic Forum (section)

==History==
[[File:1971 Opening.jpg|thumb|left|Professor Klaus Schwab opens the inaugural European Management Forum in Davos in 1971.]]
[[File:Frederik de Klerk with Nelson Mandela - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 1992.jpg|thumb|[[F. W. de Klerk]] and [[Nelson Mandela]] shake hands at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos in January 1992.]]
[[File:Henry Kissinger with former USSR leaders - WEF Annual Meeting 1992.jpg|thumb|left|[[Henry Kissinger]] with former USSR leaders at the WEF Annual Meeting 1992]]
[[File:Børge Brende at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2008.jpg|thumb|[[Børge Brende]],  current president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, at the opening press conference in 2008 in [[Cape Town]], South Africa]]
The WEF was founded in 1971 by [[Klaus Schwab]], a business professor at the [[University of Geneva]].<ref name=pigman2>{{cite book |title=The World Economic Forum – A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Global Governance |last=Pigman |first=Geoffrey Allen |pages=6–22 |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-415-70204-1 |publisher=Routledge |location=London}}</ref> First named the '''European Management Forum''', it changed its name to the World Economic Forum in 1987 and sought to broaden its vision to include providing a platform for resolving international conflicts.<ref name="wef40">{{cite news |title=The World Economic Forum – A Partner in Shaping History The First 40 Years 1971 – 2010 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_First40Years_Book_2010.pdf |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=2009 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421063137/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_First40Years_Book_2010.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 1971, Schwab invited 450 executives from [[Western Europe]]an firms to the first European Management Symposium held in the [[Davos Congress Centre]] under the patronage of the [[European Commission]] and European industrial associations, where Schwab sought to introduce European firms to American management practices.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Davos at 50: a timeline of highlights|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/world-economic-forum-davos-at-50-history-a-timeline-of-highlights/|access-date=9 February 2021|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210093935/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/world-economic-forum-davos-at-50-history-a-timeline-of-highlights/|url-status=live}}</ref> He then founded the WEF as a nonprofit organization based in [[Geneva]] and drew European business leaders to [[Davos]] for the annual meetings each January.<ref>Kellerman. p. 229.</ref>

The second European Management Forum in 1972 was the first meeting where a [[head of government]] featured as a speaker, Prime Minister [[Pierre Werner]] of [[Luxembourg]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1972s – The Triumph of an Idea – Building an International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation|url=http://widgets.weforum.org/history/1972.html|access-date=9 February 2021|website=widgets.weforum.org|language=en|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521170630/https://widgets.weforum.org/history/1972.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Events in 1973, including the collapse of the [[Bretton Woods system|Bretton Woods]] fixed-exchange rate mechanism and the [[Yom Kippur War]], saw the annual meeting expand its focus from management to economic and social issues, and, for the first time, political leaders were invited to the annual meeting in January 1974.<ref>{{Registration required|date=January 2011}} [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0304411c-c5e8-11dc-8378-0000779fd2ac,dwp_uuid=01b19234-b4b2-11dc-990a-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1 "Interview: Klaus Schwab"]''[[Financial Times]]''. 22 January 2008. accessed 29 August 2008 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604034329/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0304411c-c5e8-11dc-8378-0000779fd2ac%2Cdwp_uuid%3D01b19234-b4b2-11dc-990a-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1 |date=4 June 2009}}</ref>

Through the forum's first decade, it maintained a playful atmosphere, with many members skiing and participating in evening events. Appraising the 1981 event, one attendee noted that "the forum offers a delightful vacation on the expense account."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=16 February 1981 |title=The Magic Meeting Place |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |issn=0040-781X}}</ref>

Political leaders soon began to use the annual meeting as venue for promoting their interests. The ''Davos Declaration'' was signed in 1988 by [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]], helping them turn back from the brink of war. In 1992, South African president [[F. W. de Klerk]] met with [[Nelson Mandela]] and [[Mangosuthu Buthelezi|Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi]] at the annual meeting, their first joint appearance outside South Africa. At the 1994 annual meeting, Israeli Foreign Minister [[Shimon Peres]] and [[Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO chairman]] [[Yasser Arafat]] reached a draft agreement on [[Gaza City|Gaza]] and [[Jericho]].<ref>Lowe, Felix (14 January 2008). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/exclusions/hubpages/davos2008/davoshistory.xml "WEF and Davos: A Brief History"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403191551/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fmoney%2Fexclusions%2Fhubpages%2Fdavos2008%2Fdavoshistory.xml |date=3 April 2008}}. ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]''. accessed 25 January 2011.</ref>

After 9/11, the WEF was held in the U.S., in New York City, for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-10 |title=Why 9/11 reminds us we must respond to fear with openness |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/09/why-9-11-reminds-us-we-must-respond-to-fear-with-openness/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=World Economic Forum |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218132321/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/09/why-9-11-reminds-us-we-must-respond-to-fear-with-openness/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=WEF: Von Kriegspropaganda und Weltfrieden |url=https://www.handelszeitung.ch/politik/wef-von-kriegspropaganda-und-weltfrieden-553617 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Handelszeitung |language=de-CH |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218131548/https://www.handelszeitung.ch/politik/wef-von-kriegspropaganda-und-weltfrieden-553617 |url-status=live }}</ref> And in January 2003, U.S. secretary of state Powell went to the forum to drum up sympathy for the [[War on terror|global war on terrorism]] and the U.S.'s impending invasion of Iraq.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information |first=Bureau of Public Affairs |date=2003-01-26 |title=Remarks at the World Economic Forum |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/16869.htm |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=2001-2009.state.gov |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218131548/https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/16869.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2004, the World Economic Forum gained attention through the resignation of its CEO<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2004/10/ceo_resigns/|title=CEO resigns|website=World Economic Forum|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806194259/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2004/10/ceo_resigns/|url-status=live}}</ref> and executive director [[José María Figueres]] over the undeclared receipt of more than US$900,000 in consultancy fees from the French telecommunications firm [[Alcatel-Lucent|Alcatel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/wef-director-resigns-over-undeclared-fees/4171240|title=WEF director resigns over undeclared fees|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=29 October 2004 |access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815180653/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/wef-director-resigns-over-undeclared-fees/4171240|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Transparency International]] highlighted this incident in their [[Global Corruption Report]] two years later in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Corruption Report 2006 – Transparency International, Page 147|url=https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2006_GCR_HealthSector_EN.pdf|website=Global Corruption Report 2006 – Transparency International|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719090720/https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2006_GCR_HealthSector_EN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2006, the WEF published an article in its ''Global Agenda'' magazine titled "[[boycotts of Israel|Boycott Israel]]", which was distributed to all 2,340 participants of the annual meeting.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/673871/scandal-davos |title=Scandal At Davos |date=26 January 2006 |website=Fast Company |access-date=17 June 2020 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617101259/https://www.fastcompany.com/673871/scandal-davos |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the publication, [[Klaus Schwab]] described the publication as "an unacceptable failure in the editorial process".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-01-25/the-scandal-at-davos |title=The Scandal at Davos |first=Bruce |last=Nussbaum |date=26 January 2006 |website=Bloomberg |access-date=17 June 2020 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617122805/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-01-25/the-scandal-at-davos |url-status=live }}</ref>

In late 2015, the invitation was extended to include a North Korean delegation for the 2016 WEF, "in view of positive signs coming out of the country", the WEF organizers noted. North Korea has not been attending the WEF since 1998. The invitation was accepted.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Atkinson|first=Claire|date=6 January 2016|title=North Korea accepts invite to World Economic Forum|url=https://nypost.com/2016/01/05/north-korea-accepts-invite-to-world-economic-forum/|access-date=13 February 2021|website=New York Post|language=en-US|archive-date=1 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701123137/https://nypost.com/2016/01/05/north-korea-accepts-invite-to-world-economic-forum/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, WEF revoked the invitation on 13 January 2016, after the [[January 2016 North Korean nuclear test|6 January 2016 North Korean nuclear test]], and the country's attendance was made subject to "existing and possible forthcoming sanctions".<ref>Keaten Jamey, ''AP'' (13 January 2016). [https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-01-13/world-economic-forum-revokes-invite-to-north-korea-for-davos "World Economic Forum revokes invitation to North Korea to attend the annual meeting in Davos"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011152918/http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-01-13/world-economic-forum-revokes-invite-to-north-korea-for-davos |date=11 October 2016}}. ''U.S. News & World Report''. accessed 14 January 2016.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=World Economic Forum revokes invite to North Korea for Davos|url=https://apnews.com/article/2b64b1e124c3455dbafaf3c47189cb4c|access-date=13 February 2021|website=AP NEWS|date=13 January 2016 |archive-date=13 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913215956/https://apnews.com/article/2b64b1e124c3455dbafaf3c47189cb4c|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite protests by [[North Korea]] calling the decision by the WEF managing board a "sudden and irresponsible" move, the WEF committee maintained the exclusion because "under these circumstances there would be no opportunity for international dialogue".<ref>''AFP'' (15 January 2016). [http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/korea/2016/01/15/456143/N-Korean.htm N. Korean fury over 'sinister' WEF Davos forum exclusion] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007202014/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/korea/2016/01/15/456143/N-Korean.htm |date=7 October 2016}}. ''The China Post''. accessed 15 January 2016.</ref>

In 2017, the WEF in Davos attracted considerable attention when, for the first time, a head of state from the [[China|People's Republic of China]] was present at the alpine resort. With the backdrop of [[Brexit]], an incoming [[Protectionism|protectionist]] U.S. administration and significant pressures on [[free-trade zone]]s and [[trade agreement]]s, [[Paramount leader]] [[Xi Jinping]] defended the global economic scheme, and portrayed China as a responsible nation and a leader for environmental causes. He sharply rebuked the current populist movements that would introduce tariffs and hinder global commerce, warning that such protectionism could foster isolation and reduced economic opportunity.<ref>P. S. Goodman (2017). [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/business/dealbook/world-economic-forum-davos-china-xi-globalization.html "In Era of Trump, China's President Champions Economic Globalization"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117215637/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/business/dealbook/world-economic-forum-davos-china-xi-globalization.html |date=17 January 2017 }}. ''The New York Times'' (News Analysis). accessed 17 January 2017.</ref>

In 2018, Indian prime minister [[Narendra Modi]] gave the keynote speech, becoming the first head of government from India to deliver the inaugural keynote for the annual plenary at Davos. Modi highlighted global warming ([[climate change]]), terrorism and protectionism as the three major global challenges, and expressed confidence that they can be tackled with collective effort.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/zoGD1tD80dF755GW9xZkyJ/Narendra-Modi-in-Davos-LIVE-PM-to-address-World-Economic-Fo.html|title=WEF Davos 2018 highlights: Narendra Modi warns of three global threats|date=23 January 2018|website=livemint.com|access-date=8 February 2018|archive-date=9 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209064111/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/zoGD1tD80dF755GW9xZkyJ/Narendra-Modi-in-Davos-LIVE-PM-to-address-World-Economic-Fo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, Brazilian president [[Jair Bolsonaro]] gave the keynote address at the plenary session of the conference. On his first international trip to Davos, he emphasized liberal economic policies despite his populist agenda, and attempted to reassure the world that [[Brazil]] is a protector of the [[rainforest]] while utilizing its resources for food production and export. He stated that "his government will seek to better integrate Brazil into the world by mainstreaming international best practices, such as those adopted and promoted by the [[OECD]]".<ref>[https://www.gov.br/mre/en/content-centers/speeches-articles-and-interviews/president-of-the-federative-republic-of-brazil/speeches/discurso-del-presidente-de-la-republica-jair-bolsonaro-durante-la-sesion-plenaria-del-foro-economico-mundial-davos-suiza-22-de-enero-de-2020 Speech by the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, at the Plenary Session of the World Economic Forum – Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2019] www.gov.br {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110123623/https://www.gov.br/mre/en/content-centers/speeches-articles-and-interviews/president-of-the-federative-republic-of-brazil/speeches/discurso-del-presidente-de-la-republica-jair-bolsonaro-durante-la-sesion-plenaria-del-foro-economico-mundial-davos-suiza-22-de-enero-de-2020 |date=10 November 2022 }}. Brasil. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. accessed 20 July 2022.</ref> Environmental concerns like extreme weather events, and the failure of [[climate change mitigation]] and [[Climate change adaptation|adaptation]] were among the top-ranking global risks expressed by WEF attendees.<ref>Taylor, Chloe (Jan 2019). [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/davos-founders-warn-of-rising-tension-between-the-worlds-superpowers.html Global tension is hampering our ability to fight climate change, Davos survey warns] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114134930/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/davos-founders-warn-of-rising-tension-between-the-worlds-superpowers.html |date=14 November 2019 }} ''CNBC''. accessed 22 January 2019.</ref> On June 13, 2019, the WEF and the [[United Nations]] signed a "Strategic Partnership Framework" in order to "jointly accelerate the implementation of the [[2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]]."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tedeneke |first=Alem |date=2019-06-13 |title=World Economic Forum and UN Sign Strategic Partnership Framework |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2019/06/world-economic-forum-and-un-sign-strategic-partnership-framework/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230107201341/https://www.weforum.org/press/2019/06/world-economic-forum-and-un-sign-strategic-partnership-framework/ |archive-date=2023-01-07 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=World Economic Forum |language=en}}</ref>

The 2021 World Economic Forum was due to be held from 17 to 20 August in [[Singapore]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allassan |first=Fadel |title=2021 World Economic Forum to be held in Singapore instead of Davos |url=https://www.axios.com/world-economic-forum-singapore-davos-f3fb535f-4edb-4273-ae30-6a4155c360ce.html |access-date=11 December 2020 |website=Axios |date=7 December 2020 |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102202619/https://www.axios.com/world-economic-forum-singapore-davos-f3fb535f-4edb-4273-ae30-6a4155c360ce.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/12/special-annual-meeting-2021-to-take-place-in-singapore-in-may/|title=Special Annual Meeting 2021 in Singapore from 25–28 May|website=World Economic Forum|access-date=15 December 2020|archive-date=13 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213012021/https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/12/special-annual-meeting-2021-to-take-place-in-singapore-in-may/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/world-economic-forum-in-singapore-postponed-from-may-to-aug-17-20|title=World Economic Forum in Singapore postponed from May to Aug 17–20|date=3 February 2021|website=The Straits Times|access-date=4 February 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204070129/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/world-economic-forum-in-singapore-postponed-from-may-to-aug-17-20|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on 17 May, the forum was cancelled; with a new meeting to take place in the first half of 2022 instead with a final location and date to be determined later in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clinch |first=Matt |title=World Economic Forum cancels 2021 meeting planned for Singapore |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/17/world-economic-forum-cancels-special-annual-meeting-planned-for-singapore.html |access-date=22 May 2021 |work=CNBC |date=19 May 2021 |language=en |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906060511/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/17/world-economic-forum-cancels-special-annual-meeting-planned-for-singapore.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In late December 2021, the World Economic Forum said in a release that pandemic conditions had made it extremely difficult to stage a global in-person meeting the following month; transmissibility of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant]] and its impact on travel and mobility had made deferral necessary, with the meeting in Davos eventually rescheduled for 22 to 26 May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meredith |first=Sam |date=20 December 2021 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/20/davos-world-economic-forum-postpones-meeting-due-to-covid.html |title=World Economic Forum postpones Davos meeting on Covid uncertainty |website=CNBC |access-date=20 December 2021 |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220133051/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/20/davos-world-economic-forum-postpones-meeting-due-to-covid.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=May date planned for postponed WEF meeting |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/may-date-planned-for-postponed-wef-meeting/47282030 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=[[SWI swissinfo|Swissinfo]] |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113182410/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/may-date-planned-for-postponed-wef-meeting/47282030 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Topics in the 2022 annual meeting included the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], climate change, energy insecurity and [[inflation]]. Ukraine's president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] gave a special address at the meeting,<ref>[https://nypost.com/2022/05/23/zelensky-urges-maximum-sanctions-on-russia-in-davos-talk/ Zelensky urges 'maximum' sanctions on Russia in Davos talk], New York Post, 23 May 2022, accessed 25 May 2022 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525045404/https://nypost.com/2022/05/23/zelensky-urges-maximum-sanctions-on-russia-in-davos-talk/ |date=25 May 2022 }}</ref> thanking the global community for its efforts but also calling for more support.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2022/?stream=day-1-davos22&stream-item=president-zelenskyy-addresses-davos-2022#stream-header |title=World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022, Davos |publisher=weforum.org |date=23 May 2022 |accessdate=23 May 2022 |archive-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523120232/https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2022/?stream=day-1-davos22&stream-item=president-zelenskyy-addresses-davos-2022#stream-header |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2022 forum was marked by the absence of a Russian delegation for the first time since 1991, which ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' described as signalling the "unraveling of globalization."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simmons |first=Stephen Fidler and Ann M. |date=2022-05-25 |title=Russia's Absence at Davos Marks Unraveling of Globalization |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-dominates-a-meeting-to-which-it-wasnt-invited-11653492101 |access-date=2022-06-07 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607104948/https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-dominates-a-meeting-to-which-it-wasnt-invited-11653492101 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022, WEF Davos Agenda 2022, Davos 2022 Forum |url=https://www.business-standard.com/world-economic-forum |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Business Standard |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915130933/https://www.business-standard.com/world-economic-forum |url-status=live }}</ref> The former Russia House was used to present Russia's war crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.russianwarcrimeshouse.org/ |title=Russian War Crimes |website=Russian War Crimes |access-date=23 August 2022 |archive-date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827075936/https://www.russianwarcrimeshouse.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2023 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum took place in [[Davos|Davos, Switzerland]], from 16–20 January under the theme "Cooperation in a fragmented world".<ref name="DavosMeeting2023">[https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2023 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting] www.weforum.org {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108052939/https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2023 |date=8 January 2023 }} Jan 6 2023.</ref>

On April 21, 2025 Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the Board of the World Economic Forum, informed the Board: "Following my recent announcement and as I enter my 88th year, I have decided to step down from my position as Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect."<ref>News release by World Economic Forum Public Relations, public.affairs@weforum.org, 21 April 2025.</ref>